Understanding Depression and Getting Help

Depression

In the United States, depression is among the most common mental health disorders, with over 3 million people diagnosed each year. The cause of depression is often simplified as a chemical imbalance in the brain, but the reality is that depression is a lot more complicated. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression may be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors.

What Causes Depression?

Many times people move past painful life events without processing them. At some point in their lives, the feelings connected to those past events resurface. Often this occurs when we are dealing with a life event that triggers those past thoughts and feelings, and we feel unable to move forward. It can be hard to see your circumstances clearly when you are depressed, especially when reaching out to others can be so difficult. Additionally, the emotions that one experiences during a depressive episode are often a result of distorted negative thoughts. Sometimes poor coping strategies rooted and modeled in our own personal histories adds to the challenge of being genuinely able to enjoy and appreciate our lives.

Getting Help

If you’re suffering from depression, a licensed therapist can help you develop strategies to cope with and improve your symptoms and life condition. My approach involves understanding your personal history, and suggesting tools to help you improve your life and challenge your perspective. If this approach sounds like it might work for you, feel free to email or call me so we can discuss therapy further. I look forward to hearing from you.